All Forum Posts by: Linda B.

We need to get a valuation of our 6 SFH portfolio in Port Charlotte, Florida, due to some changes in our investor group. Our realtor provided us with a CMA based estimate and we would like to get a second estimate/CMA to be get a little bit more certainty.

How should I go about that? Can I buy something like that (contact an agent and offer to pay)? Since we already have an agent to do all of our selling and buying, I could see how there isn't much of an incentive for anyone to do this other than a direct payment... 

We've also thought about hiring an assessor, but I'd much rather have two people's opinion than just one and at $300/house a double assessment is getting a bit too pricey. 

Thank you everyone, these are exactly the kinds of posts I had hoped for! Very inspiring. 

And some good points raised about finding the right balance between being 'too soft' and getting taken advantage of and still doing some good...

Exciting, thank you!

I love real estate and I love making money with it, but every now and I start wondering if there is something more I should do... I do believe that just by being a reasonable landlord we can make a bit of a difference already, but I'd love to hear some stories about other ways we can contribute to society. What have you done that you think has made the world a slightly better place? Offered to forgive rent payments while someone was in the hospital and couldn't work? Reduce the rent for a family in need? Or something more creative?

The same goes for the environment: what about building green? Installing solar panels even if the math doesn't support it? Any examples of green action?

And how to go about it? Do you give yourself a budget for 'positive actions' (social or green)? Or do you have an income goal after which you would start considering such actions? 

Please share any stories and thoughts! Thank you!

Hi Duncan, 

I've done some manufactured housing remodels in Bend and Fred Yankee (Fred's Contracting) has been very helpful with the last one. He also does stick building/ remodeling, and he seemed to have some really good people working with/ for him. 

The first remodels I was quite involved in myself and found some really good people for the different tasks: Mark Aschoff (Mark's Contracting LLC) does outstanding roofing work at a really good price, Alex Olmos did a great job with flooring and Fagen Tree and Chips were very nice people to work with for some branch/tree cleanups. Also have an incredible arborist if you need any big trees felled, could send you that info in a PM if you need it.

Hope this helps!

I've had very good experience with Pennbrook, they've been managing my 3 rentals for the past 2.5 years. I worked mainly with Laura Lynn, but more recently now with Connie Lowe and both are great. 

An update on my experience with Mid Florida Property Management: 

I've had my 6 properties in Port Charlotte managed by them for the last 8 months and it has been a great experience! I would highly recommend them to anybody looking for a property management company in that area. 

- Communication has been excellent, they keep me really well updated on everything going on with each property; most of the time with detailed emails or (for some of the more urgent matters) by phone. 

- Issues with tenants or properties get addressed very quickly and efficiently and they either keep me well informed or involve me in the decision process, which I really appreciate. 

- The management fee they charge is very reasonable, actually the best I've heard of so far. 

- They usually get different bids for projects that need to be done, so I always feel that I'm getting a good price for carpet/ handyman/ repairs. 

- Their staff has a lot of experience that I can benefit and learn from.

- They've brought rents up to current market value, which has made quite a difference for my cash flow.

My properties had quite a few issues that were overdue (from previous management) and they've definitely had their hands full with my 'portfolio'. But they've done a wonderful job getting all of my homes in good shape with very promising tenants in them. As an out of state investor, all of this is very important and a great relief. 

I'm very glad I chose them and I'd be happy to give more information to anyone interested.

@Raymond B., Thanks a lot for the bump! I guess the question was maybe a bit too specific...

In the meantime I talked to one of their references and decided to give them a try. So maybe in a little while I can share my experience, in case someone will search the forum with the same question at some point in the future.

Does anybody have any experience with or heard about Mid Florida Property Management of Charlotte County? I'm about to sign management contracts with them, have only spoken over the phone and have detected some red flags (agent didn't know what they charge for monthly pool maintenance even thought they have 100+ properties, they claim 100% occupancy (is that even possible?), phone appointments weren't kept, agent sounded annoyed). The owner on the other hand seems very customer service oriented. Anything you know helps. 

I used some of the PM interview questions from Bigger Pockets. Thanks a lot for that, it definitely helped to get a first impression (which was good). Too bad the second impression made me doubt...

I found out that their LLC was started only a year ago. Would it be better to go with a company that has been around for a while? I used to think that with property management it's more important who your agent is than who the company is. Any thoughts on that?

And last: how useful is it to ask for references? Of course they're not going to give me a 'random sample'...

Thanks already for your help!

Hi Steve, 

welcome to the site and great to have another BP-er in Bend! I've been investing in Bend for the past two years. Being a long term resident of Bend you probably know more about Bend and real estate in Bend than I, but let me know if you'd ever want to get together for coffee. 

Happy Holidays and wish you a great wholesaler start in 2015!

I'm looking for a property manager for our 6 SFHs (year round rentals, not seasonal) in Port Charlotte, Florida. Does anybody have any recommendations? Any great property managers/ management companies you're currently using? And if you're recommending them, maybe tell me what's great about them? I would really appreciate some help since I'm an out of state investor. Thanks very much!